What’s Happening in Nashville? A Lot! Here’s Your Monthly Wrap-up!

Alright, we’re pretty close to the May finish line, and what a hustle of a month it has been. If you’ve survived all of the graduations, class parties, teacher gift buying, sports banquets, band concerts, company picnics and everything else that has turned May into the new December, then take a deep breath, kick back with your iced coffee, and catch up on what you missed when you were in the grind. Enjoy!

Local Farm Boxes Are Back!

Our friends over at Green Door Gourmet have officially kicked off their 2016 farm box season. Each week, you can opt in or out of their local farm box CSA, which include fresh fruits, veggies and herbs grown on their farm. No commitment required, and pick-up times are available on both Saturdays and Sundays. Click here to learn more, and then sign up for their newsletter to get the heads up mid-week for what will be in that weekend’s box.

Bastion Restaurant Now Open

Bastion — the bar — has been open for several months, but now patrons of this Wedgewood Houston neighborhood hot spot owned by Chef Josh Habiger can enjoy a meal in the 24-seat Bastion restaurant. “I wanted the bar portion of Bastion to be perfect, and I wanted time to focus on it before introducing the restaurant aspect of it,” Habiger says in a media release. “They are two distinct spaces, two different experiences, so I wanted to give each one the thought and attention it deserved.” While reservations are only accepted for larger groups, we suggest that you plan your approach well in advance to ensure you get coveted seating. By all accounts, it’s tough to get into … it’s that hot! Stay tuned for an SB review of Bastion, but ’til then, learn more on their website.

Other New Dining Options Include …

There’s never a shortage of new eateries in Nashville. Just this month, we’ve tried out some great ones. Some favorites include Vui’s Kitchen in Berry Hill for some delicious, healthy Vietnamese fare, Urban Cookhouse for healthy fast casual fare in Midtown and Little Mosko’s in the Entrepreneur Center in SoBro. (Full reviews of all three forthcoming … )

The beautiful Vui, owner of Vui’s Kitchen, on the left; an amazingly delicious bowl of pho on the right — both can be found at the new eatery in Berry Hill. Image: Leila Grossman of Grannis Photography

But there are also new ones we haven’t had a chance to check out yet (but will be soon) which include a new Bajo Sexto location on Charlotte, and Crazy Town, a ginormous venue at 308 Broadway that has six bars (six!!), two patios and an intriguing menu of food and beverages. Oh, and lest we skimp on our brunch options, Butcher & Bee on Main is now serving up this favorite meal.

JetBlue Now Serving Nashville

JetBlue, a fun and affordable airline, began offering two daily round-trip options to Nashville this month — one from Boston, and the other from Fort Lauderdale — making Nashville that much easier for people to visit … or for locals to escape. “Adding new service in this day and time is a huge statement. Adding new service with a new carrier is a home run,” says Butch Spyridon, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “JetBlue is a tremendous addition on many levels. We are honored to be included among their destinations.”

Daily flights to Boston depart at 9:50 a.m. and 6:40 p.m. For those who’d rather head south, the daily flight to Fort Lauderdale leaves at 5 p.m. We’ll see you at the gate (if we can get through security, of course)!

(Did you happen to see JetBlue’s Mother’s Day video a few weeks ago? It’s really amazing … and will make you think about crying babies forever differently on airplanes!)

Fresh Market coming to Lion’s Head Village

It was announced this month that North Carolina-based Fresh Market is opening a fourth area location in Middle Tennessee. The specialty grocery store chain will open doors in the space previously occupied by OfficeMax in Lion’s Head Village in spring of 2017. Learn more about Fresh Market on their website.

New Exhibits Open at Cheekwood & the Frist

Odds are you have company coming at some point this summer, which means odds are also in your favor that you may be in the market for ways in which to keep said company out of your hair for a bit entertained while here. You’re in luck! Two fabulous new exhibits have opened at two of Nashville’s most treasured art destinations. At the Frist, Bellissima! The Italian Automotive Renaissance, 1945–1975 just opened yesterday and features an impressive collection of some breathtaking cars and motorcycles that were produced during the post-World War II economic revival. Learn more about Bellissima!here.

See beautiful cars like this 1962 Ferrari GTO at the Frist. Image: Peter Harholdt via FristCenter.org

Just down the road at Cheekwood, the International Playhouses exhibit is now open and runs through September 4, 2016. All ages can explore six different interactive, climb-able and totally charming structures, each of which were inspired by places to which the Cheek family traveled. Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch on the lawn before, during or after the fun — it’s the perfect way to spend a summer morning. Learn more here.

Here are two of the six treehouses all ages can explore at Cheekwood’s International Playhouses exhibit, going on now through September 4, 2016.

Fontanel Summer Concert Series Announced

There’s no shortage of summer concerts taking place this summer — shows at the Ascend Amphitheater, the Ryman, the Bridgestone and of course all of the other various-size music venues ensure an audiolicious summer. One more option? The Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater at Fontanel, which launched their summer concert season this month with Trampled by Turtles. Upcoming shows this summer run the gamut, from the Pet Shop Boys to Bob Dylan and beyond. The lineup is dynamic; see for yourself here.

New Goldberg Partnership Opening This Fall

Nashville’s favorite brotherly restaurateur duo, the Goldberg brothers of Strategic Hospitality, are teaming up with Nashville native Julia Sullivan and hospitality pro Allie Poindexter to open a new restaurant at the corner of Fourth Avenue North and Madison Street later this year. Henrietta Red will feature seating for approximately 70 in the 4,500-square-foot space, and the menu will feature “vegetable-driven” fare and a communal vibe.

Cheers to summer, friends. Take it easy!

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